Modular baled hay feeding system and method for livestock

ABSTRACT

A system and method of feeding rolled bales of hay to livestock while simultaneously storing the hay off of the ground. The hay is presented in such a way that the livestock can graze on the hay bales at will, much as they would graze in a grass field. The system of storing and offering the hay bales is modular, and may be added to or subtracted from depending upon the size of the herd of livestock. Additionally, the invention is designed to be placed along an existing fence-line for simple access to the feeding system. This allows the system to act as a simple pass-through for hay bales for feeding purposes, as opposed to requiring that bales be physically picked up and placed on a feeder for each individual feeding. A trough for water or other types of feed may also be built directly into the system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a system and method forproviding baled hay feed to livestock, and more specifically to amodular system capable of receiving round hay bales and a method offeeding livestock thereby.

2. Description of the Related Art

The feeding of livestock presents several challenges to farmers orranchers. Feeding is both costly and time consuming Several options forfeed are available to owners of livestock, including the use of baledhay. Baled hay is a pre-cut dried fodder used to feed livestock whenfield grazing is impossible, either due to location or climate. Hay maybe baled in block shapes or cylindrical rolls. Traditionally, the baleswould be broken down prior to feeding; however, this adds an additionaltime consuming step to the feeding process.

In order to avoid the step of breaking down the bales of hay, farmersand ranchers often simply place a block of hay into a pen or stablecontaining the livestock. This process, however, leads to significantwaste of hay. The hay may be trampled or otherwise made inedible duringthe feeding process.

Most animals are fed hay in two daily feedings, morning and evening.However, this schedule is more for the convenience of humans, as mostgrazing animals on pasture naturally consume fodder in multiple feedingsthroughout the day. Some animals, especially those being raised formeat, may be given enough hay that they simply are able to eat all day.The proper amount of hay and the type of hay required varies somewhatbetween different species. An ideal feeding situation would allow theanimal to graze on the hay as they would graze in a field.

Some attempts to provide hay feeders utilizing hay bales in block shapeshave been attempted, but none have implemented a modular livestockfeeder utilizing round rolled hay bales in the manner of the presentinvention.

Another issue with hay for feeding livestock is storage. Storing hay isnot a problem if you are buying only a few weeks' worth at a time, butstorage over several months requires more protection to avoid spoilage.Regardless of storage time, you will need a way to keep it from gettingwet or drawing moisture from the ground. Placing hay bales directly onthe ground for feeding leads to faster spoilage and is therefore aninadequate method of feeding. An ideal hay feeder would store the hay insuch a way as to maximize its useful life.

Heretofore there has not been available a hay feeding system or methodwith the advantages and features of the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provides a system and method of feedingrolled bales of hay to livestock while simultaneously storing the hayoff of the ground. The hay is presented in such a way that the livestockcan graze on the hay bales at will, much as they would graze in a grassfield. The system of storing and offering the hay bales is modular, andmay be added to or subtracted from depending upon the size of the herdof livestock. Additionally, the invention is designed to be placed alongan existing fence-line for simple access to the feeding system. Thisallows the system to act as a simple pass-through for hay bales forfeeding purposes, as opposed to requiring that bales be physicallypicked up and placed on a feeder for each individual feeding. A troughfor water or other types of feed may also be built directly into thesystem.

The feeding system is primarily comprised of multiple frame members ofsteel or other suitable material. The frame members define feeding zonesalong the sides of each modular assembly whereby livestock will haveaccess to the stored hay bale. The livestock can feed directly from thehay bale or from hay which has fallen to the ground from the hay bale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating variousobjects and features thereof.

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective diagram of an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric perspective diagram of a modular element of anembodiment of the present invention, primarily comprising the hayfeeding section.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the same, indicating how a rolled haybale would be stored.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the same.

FIG. 5 is an isometric perspective diagram of an end wall of anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a rear elevation of the same.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the same.

FIG. 8 is an isometric perspective diagram of a trough element includedwith an embodiment of the present invention, showing the interactionbetween the trough and the trough frame.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the same.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

I. Introduction and Environment

As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosedherein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects aremerely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart how to variously employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description forconvenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up,down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientatedin the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly”refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometriccenter of the aspect being described and designated parts thereofForwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction oftravel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the wordsspecifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similarmeaning.

II. Preferred Embodiment Hay Feeder System 2

The present invention preferably embodies a hay feeder system 2 whichprovides a method of feeding livestock using a rolled, cylindrical baleof hay 34. Generally, the system is adapted to be placed along afence-line by incorporating at least a first fence wing 4 and a secondfence wing 6, with a gate 10 in between, as shown in FIG. 1. A tractoror a loader with a bale spear attachment (not shown in the figures) willbring bales of hay to the feeder apparatus and load the bales throughthe gate opening and onto a pair of bale stopper cross-bars 13 and acentral frame cross-bar 14. The bale stopper cross-bars 13 are held upby a number of bale stopper frame members 12. The space between the balestopper cross-bars 13 and the central frame cross-bar 14 defines the haystorage zone 8. A trough 20 is optionally affixed to one of the fencewings 4, 6.

The system is primarily comprised of modular sections, such as a firstmodular section 16, and a second modular section 18 as shown in FIG. 1,which modular sections can be stacked to any number, allowing any numberof hay bales to be loaded for feeding. Once a desired number of modularsections has been combined, a rear capping section 42 is connected tothe last modular section.

As shown in FIG. 2, a number of feeding zones 9 surround the modularsections 16, 18. These feeding zones provide livestock with access tothe hay bale stored in the storage zone 8. The livestock approach thefeeding zones which are defined by the vertical framework 22, the baseframework 24, and the bale stopper members 12. A number of feeding zonesare provided, which allow a number of livestock to feed off of a singleor multiple hay bales at once.

FIGS. 3 and 4 provide additional views of how the modular feedingsection 16, 18 contains a bale of hay 34. Upper connections 26 and lowerconnections 28 allow the modular sections to be physically connected tothe fence-line or to other modular sections. A front central connectingbeam 32 or rear central connecting beam 33 may be affixed to the lowerconnections 28, and includes a central connection 30 for connecting tothe gate 10 or the rear capping section 42, as shown in FIG. 1. Theyalso allow for the central frame cross-bar 14 to be affixed to the restof the system.

FIGS. 5-7 show the rear capping section 42, which is affixed to the lastmodular section of the hay feeding system 2. The rear capping section 42includes a number of connections 50 which align with the upper 26 andlower 28 connections of the modular sections. A bolt or other physicallybinding connection is made between the two elements. The rear cappingsection 42 is primarily comprised of a number of upstanding framesupports 46, horizontal frame supports 47, and angled frame supports 48.The angled frame supports establish additional feeding zones 9, as shownin FIG. 6. An optional plate 44 may be affixed to the lower part of theangled frame supports 48 to prevent a livestock animal from becomingstuck within the feeding system 2. Similar plates may be affixed to theframework of the modular sections.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the optional trough 20 and trough framing that may beincluded in one of the wing sections 4, 6. The trough is contained by anumber of lower frame supports 38, upper frame supports 40, and thefence frame 36. The trough can be used to store water or other feed typenext to the feeder system 2.

The advantages of the present invention over existing feeding systemsinclude the ability to use round hay bales for feeding livestockdirectly. The cross-bars 13, 14 effectively store the bale off of theground, preventing moisture from penetrating the bale. The livestockapproach the bale at the feeding zones 9 and may eat hay that is stillaffixed to the bale 34, or hay which has come loose from the bale andfallen to the ground.

The modular aspect of the present invention allows an unlimited feedingsurface to be established, which may be used by any number of livestock.If the owner increases his herd size, he can add additional modularsections to the feeding system 2. When the gate 10 is opened, a tractoris able to load a round hay bale into the system. That bale will pushany existing bales rearward, toward the rear capping section 42. Thisprocess can be repeated until each modular section of the feeding systemhas received at least one bale of hay.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it allows thefarmer or rancher to feed his livestock without needing to relocate thelivestock. The present invention can be used perpendicular to anexisting fence line, and access to the feeding portion of the systemdoes not provide access to the pasture in general. This cuts back on therisk of livestock escaping, while allowing the farmer or rancher toclean out the hay storage zone 8 safely at any time.

It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects ofthe invention have been shown and described, the invention is notlimited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.

Having thus described the disclosed subject matter, what is claimed asnew and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
 1. A livestockfeeding system comprising: a frame defining a storage space adapted forreceiving hay bales; said frame having a livestock feeding openingadapted for providing livestock access to said storage space; said framehaving a bale-receiving opening adapted to receive hay bales; said framehaving a bale support located in proximity to said livestock feedingopening and adapted for supporting a hay bale in proximity to andaccessible by livestock through said livestock feeding opening, saidframe comprising: a pair of upstanding side frames each comprising abase member, a top member, and a plurality of vertical members; anupstanding central frame comprising a base member, a top member, and aplurality of vertical members; a plurality of bale stopper framemembers; a pair of bale stopper cross-bars affixed to said upstandingside frames; wherein said bale stopper cross-bars and said upstandingcentral frame top member comprise a storage space for containing a roundhay bale; and wherein said upstanding side frame vertical members andplurality of bale stopper frame members define a feeding space providingaccess to said hay bale by livestock.
 2. The livestock feeding systemaccording to claim 1, which includes: said frame having opposite sideswith said livestock feeding opening formed in one of said frame sides;said frame having opposite ends with said bale receiving opening formedin one of said frame ends; and said storage space being adapted toreceive multiple hay bales through said bale-receiving opening.
 3. Thelivestock feeding system according to claim 2, which includes: saidframe end with said bale-receiving opening being adapted for placementat a fence line with said bale-receiving opening open at one side ofsaid fence line and said storage space with said livestock feedingopening located on the other side of said fence line.
 4. The livestockfeeding system according to claim 3, which includes: said storage spacebeing configured to receive multiple hay bales in a linearly alignedrow; and said storage space being adapted for loading with a row ofmultiple hay bales sequentially pushed through said bale-receivingopening.
 5. The livestock feeding system according to claim 4, whichincludes: a frame assembly comprising multiple said frames linkedtogether end-to-end in a linearly-aligned configuration and definingsaid storage space extending linearly through said frame assembly. 6.The livestock feeding system of claim 1, further comprising: a modularassembly comprising said pair of upstanding side frame members, saidupstanding central frame, said pair of bale stopper cross-bars, and saidplurality of bale stopper frame members; said modular assembly having afront end and a rear end; and a plurality of connection points affixedto said modular assembly front end and rear end.
 7. The livestockfeeding system of claim 6, further comprising: a pair of fence wings,each said wing affixed to one of said pair of upstanding side frames; agate section affixed to said fence wings, said gate capable of beingplaced in an open position and a closed position; and wherein access isprovided to said storage space when said gate is in said open position.8. The livestock feeding system of claim 6, further comprising: a rearcapping section comprised of a plurality of upstanding framing members,a top framing member, a bottom framing member, and a plurality ofdiagonal framing members; each pair of said diagonal framing membersdefine a feeding space providing access to said hay bale by livestock;and said rear capping section adapted to connect to an end of saidmodular assembly via said connection points.
 9. The livestock feedingsystem of claim 6, wherein a first modular assembly rear end is affixedto a second modular assembly front end via said connection points.
 10. Alivestock feeding system comprising: a first modular assembly comprisinga pair of upstanding side frame members, a single upstanding centralframe, a pair of bale stopper cross-bars, and a plurality of balestopper frame members joining each one of said bale stopper cross-barsto one of said upstanding side frame members; a second modular assemblycomprising a pair of upstanding side frame members, a single upstandingcentral frame, a pair of bale stopper cross-bars, and a plurality ofbale stopper frame members joining each one of said bale stoppercross-bars to one of said upstanding side frame members; said balestopper cross-bars capable of defining a storage space for storing around hay bale; each said modular assembly including a front end and arear end; said first modular assembly rear end affixed to said secondmodular assembly front end; a pair of fence wings, each said wingaffixed to one of said first modular assembly upstanding side frames; agate section affixed to said fence wings, said gate capable of beingplaced in an open position and a closed position; wherein access isprovided to said storage space when said gate is in said open position;a rear capping section comprised of a plurality of upstanding framingmembers, a top framing member, a bottom framing member, and a pluralityof diagonal framing members; each pair of said diagonal framing membersdefine a feeding space providing access to said hay bale by livestock;and said rear capping section adapted to connect to said second modularassembly rear end.
 11. A method of feeding livestock, the methodcomprising the steps: providing a frame defining a storage space adaptedfor receiving hay bales, said frame having a livestock feeding openingadapted for providing livestock access to said storage space, and abale-receiving opening adapted to receive hay bales; said framecomprising: a pair of upstanding side frames each comprising a basemember, a top member, and a plurality of vertical members; an upstandingcentral frame comprising a base member, a top member, and a plurality ofvertical members; a plurality of bale stopper frame members; a pair ofbale stopper cross-bars affixed to said upstanding side frames; whereinsaid bale stopper cross-bars and said upstanding central frame topmember comprise a storage space for containing a round hay bale; andwherein said upstanding side frame vertical members and plurality ofbale stopper frame members define a feeding space providing access tosaid hay bale by livestock; providing a bale support located inproximity to said livestock feeding opening and adapted for supporting ahay bale in proximity to and accessible by livestock through saidlivestock feeding opening; providing a vehicle including a bale spearcapable of transporting said hay bales; loading a hay bale onto saidbale spear; transporting a round hay bale to said bale-receivingopening; and transferring said round hay bale from said bale spear intosaid storage space within said frame.
 12. The method of feedinglivestock of claim 11, wherein said frame and said bale support comprisea modular assembly having a front end located at said bale-receivingopening, and a rear end located opposite of said bale-receiving opening.13. The method of feeding livestock of claim 12, further comprising thesteps: providing a first said modular assembly and a second said modularassembly; and joining said first modular assembly rear end to saidsecond modular assembly front end.
 14. The method of feeding livestockof claim 13, further comprising the steps: providing a rear cappingsection comprised of a plurality of upstanding framing members, a topframing member, a bottom framing member, and a plurality of diagonalframing members, each pair of said diagonal framing members defining afeeding space providing access to said hay bale by livestock; andconnecting said rear capping section to said second modular assemblyrear end.
 15. The method of feeding livestock of claim 13, furthercomprising the steps: providing a pair of fence wings, each said wingaffixed to one of said pair of upstanding side frames of said firstmodular assembly front end; connecting a gate section to said fencewings, said gate capable of being placed in an open position and aclosed position; and said gate being operable to provide or block accessto said bale-receiving opening.
 16. The method of feeding livestock ofclaim 13, further comprising the steps: providing a second hay bale;loading said second hay bale onto said bale spear; transporting saidround hay bale to said bale-receiving opening; and transferring saidround hay bale from said bale spear into said storage space within saidframe, such that all hay bales already loaded within said storage spaceare physically displaced rearwardly away from said bale-receivingopening.